They were holding hands and looking very glowy and, as the Twins would say, happy-smappy. Merry meet, Zoey. Darius saluted me formally, but his smile gave his respectful gesture a warm, casual feel. I threw Aphrodite a see-someone-has-manners look before smiling at the warrior. Merry meet, Darius. You two look pleased with yourselves. You must have found someplace to get some sleep last night. I paused, glanced at Aphrodite again, and added, Sleep or whatnot. They assured me they slept. Sister Mary Angela emphasized the word as she joined us in the doorway. Aphrodite rolled her eyes at the nun, but didn't say anything. Darius explained to me that the fallen angel has been visiting your dreams, and that Stark seemed to be able to stop him, said the nun in her usual manner of getting right to the point. What'd Stark do? Heath skidded to a stop and gave me a giant hug, planting a kiss squarely on my lips. Do I need to kick his butt? Not likely you could, Stark said, joining us from inside the dining room. Unlike Heath, he didn't grab me, but his look was so warm and intimate that it seemed to touch me as thoroughly as Heath's hug.

And suddenly I was feeling very guy-claustrophobic. I mean, a buffet of boys sounds like a good idea in theory, but I was quickly finding out that, much like straight-leg designer jeans, it's only in theory that the idea is good. As if to reinforce my thoughts, Erik chose that instant to join us. Venus, the red fledgling who was Aphrodite's old roommate, was practically Velcroed to his side. Ugh. Just ugh. Hi everyone. Man, I'm starving! Erik said. He blazed the big, warm, movie star smile that I used to heart so much. Through my peripheral vision I could see Heath and Stark gawking at Erik and his Venus leech, who was definitely suckerfished to his side, which was when I remembered that neither of my other guys knew I'd dumped Erik. I stifled a sigh of pure irritation and instead of ignoring him with the icy attitude I'd have liked to throw his way, I planted my own fake smile on my face and beamed.

Hi, Erik, Venus. Well, you guys have definitely come to the right place if you're hungry. Everything smells super-good. Erik's smile faltered for just an instant, but his acting skills were way up to the task of making it look as though he'd moved on, like, fifteen seconds after we'd broken up. Hi, Zoey. Didn't see you over there. As usual, you're surrounded by guys. Damn, it always was crowded around you. With a sarcastic chuckle he pushed past me, bumping Stark with his shoulder. If I shot an arrow and thought about an ass, would it surprise you that I hit Erik? Stark asked me in a pleasant, nonchalant voice. Wouldn't surprise me, Heath said. I can tell you boys, from personal experience, that Erik does have one nice ass, Venus said as she moved to follow Erik into the dining room. Hey, Venus, I have two words for you, Aphrodite said.

Venus hesitated and glanced over her shoulder at her ex-roommate. Aphrodite smiled her best mean-bitch sneer and said, Re. Bound. She paused and gave a bitchy smirk and then said, Good luck with that. It was about then that I noticed every eye in the dining room was turned to us and all the conversations had skidded to a halt. Erik made a possessive little motion with his hand and Venus practically trotted up to him. Slipping her arm through his, she mashed her boob against his elbow. And then the whispers started like someone had lit them with a match. "Erik and Zoey broke up!" Erik's with Venus! "Zoey and Erik aren't together!" Well, hell.

Chapter Nineteen

I never did like him. Heath kissed me on the top of my head and then ruffled my hair like I was two years old. You know I hate it when you do that! I said, trying to smooth back my hair that was already too poofy because apparently nuns didn't believe in flatirons. I never liked him, either. Stark took my hand and kissed it. Then he looked Heath in the eye. I don't like it much that you and Zoey are Imprinted, but I don't have a problem with you. I'm cool with you, too, dude, Heath said. But I don't like it much that you slept with Zo. Hey, just part of the job description of being her Warrior, keeping her safe and all. Okay, vomit, Aphrodite said. By the way, testosterone dorks, you should know Z dumped Erik--no matter what kind of spin he tries to put on it. Keep in mind she could do that to either of you if you get too damn annoying.

She unwrapped herself from around Darius, marched over to me, and looked me in the eye. Ready to go in there and face the pain-in-the-ass masses? In a sec. I turned to Sister Mary Angela. How's Grandma this morning? Worn out. I'm afraid she did entirely too much yesterday. Is she okay? She will be. Maybe I should go to her and-- I started to walk away from the dining room, but Aphrodite caught my wrist. Grandma's going to be fine. Right now I can promise you she'd rather have you figure out what we're doing next than stress about her. Stress? Did someone say they were stressin'? Stevie Rae jogged around the corner of the hallway with Dallas at her side. Hey there, Z! She enveloped me in a big hug. Sorry that I snapped your head off before. I guess we both have been stressin' too much lately. Forgive me? she whispered. Of course, I whispered back and tried not to wrinkle my nose as I hugged her.